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Not Just For Scrooge McDuck Anymore.
Even though it's currently 150 degrees in Georgia it's not too early to start thinking about fall fashions. The trend forecast calls for slimmer silhouettes, menswear-inspired pants and plenty of sequins and paillettes for sparkling evenings. But for us at Threadbared HQ, this fall is all about one trend:
That's right. Knitted spats are back - and boy are we ready for them! Heads will surely turn as we strut down Peachtree Street with these unique accessories adorning our feet. Worn with jeans, skirts or even knitted hotpants, these babies add a special touch of class to any ensemble.
Fall 2007 and Knitted Spats - you heard it here first.
Posted by Mary on June 26, 2007 | Permalink
Comments
Granted, they're hideous things, but sitting here in my freezing cold, over-air-conditioned office wearing strappy sandals, my feet would love a pair of spats. At least maybe the second pair. I think I'd rather have blue toes than knitwear with gift-package-bows all over them.
Posted by: Amelia | Jun 26, 2007 11:00:50 AM
Mmmmmmm, knitted hotpants for fall.....
Posted by: KateMet | Jun 26, 2007 11:10:49 AM
Feetless socks that go over the top of your shoes? WTF?? I think I'll just keep on making my own tampons.
Posted by: Bunny | Jun 26, 2007 11:46:10 AM
Due respect and all "someone, somewhere, approved this marketing idea and then actually spent money to promote those things; my god" aside, those are *crocheted* spats. :)
Beyond that, I have no words for the horror of the floral ones. And I often have quite a lot of words for bad things!
Posted by: sabrina | Jun 26, 2007 11:58:59 AM
The sad thing is, I just saw a pattern for sewing your own spats in the Fall/Winter Burda catalog @ JoAnn's.
[shudder]
Posted by: Jess | Jun 26, 2007 12:50:47 PM
My high school band uniform included spats. They were these stiff, white vinyl things that got even stiffer when the temperature dropped below 30 degrees. They never fit quite right, either. Some nice, toasty-warm wool spats like the ones in the bottom photo, lovingly crocheted by my grandma would have been a big improvement. However, those crocheted spats in the top photo with the weird flowers that look like they belong on an afghan scare me. I know I was a band geek, but those flower spats would have been too geeky even for me!
Posted by: | Jun 26, 2007 2:47:49 PM
But...but! Band uniforms...with matching woolen spats! In your school colors! Maybe different designs for brass, woodwinds, percussion! The possibilities are endless. There's got to be at least a couple of band moms that can knit!
Posted by: pittipat | Jun 26, 2007 4:05:18 PM
Why oh why did I drop my knitting class in Jr. High.
Oh yea, I remember now. Spats!
Posted by: | Jun 26, 2007 5:02:45 PM
Now I know just what to make for my mother for Kissmoose this year. With big owls on them, or MUM RULZ.
Posted by: georg | Jun 26, 2007 6:15:06 PM
Oh dear - am I really the only one who's fond of spats? Perhaps not the first pair, as such a large floral print is hideous on anything, but the 2nd pair looks quite comfortable and cute to me.
Posted by: Ko | Jun 26, 2007 9:32:08 PM
Is just one of the pair a spat?
Is there an etymological connection between spit, past tense, and spats?
Do Spitz ever wear spats?
If kid pop groups sported them, would they be known as Spatz?
So many questions, such a horrid way to use yarn . . .
RST
Posted by: | Jun 27, 2007 12:23:36 AM
What in the world is a "spat"?! I mean, I'm geting a pretty good idea of what they are from looking at these pictures, but I've never heard of them before. How are you all so well educated in this fashion wonder that has been passing me by all these years?
I've been missing out on making my own 3-D floral spats and instead just wearing "normal" socks like a loser. Well, no more!
Posted by: ~ | Jun 27, 2007 1:21:42 AM
I love the spats! I wish I could of worn them instead of my blue legwarmers in the 80's. And the flowers! The are totally majectic. I would of loved them in neon pink to go with my Neon Green CHOOSE LIFE shirt.
Posted by: wheresmyangels | Jun 27, 2007 2:47:15 AM
Hang on, you might be onto something here:
1) Small and portable projects, quickly finished (like socks), but without the nastiness of heel-turning and toe-grafting.
2) Thick yarn (Lion Brand must have a synthetic suitable for subbing) which looks ugly and chunky without being warm and cosy.
These will definitely be in the Winter issue of Knitter's, if not Fall.
You wily little trendspotter, you!
Posted by: Cat | Jun 27, 2007 9:01:59 AM
That's a crochet pattern, just to nitpick. I do think they're inanely stupid. Spats with high heels?
Posted by: Netter | Jun 27, 2007 11:25:00 AM
Hey, I thought only 19th century foppy men wore spats?
Posted by: ellie | Jun 27, 2007 11:43:19 AM
I feel I must hang my head in shame to those of you who pointed out that these spats are crocheted, not knitted. As someone who does both, I really should have been able to tell the difference, especially since part of the instructions are visible on pattern #2.
Speaking of those instructions... "Attach Gold in any ch1 space at corner..." Gold? Good Lord, I didn't think that second pair looked too bad in greyscale, but apparently they're more than one color? And one of those colors is gold? I think I'm changing my mind.
Posted by: Amelia | Jun 27, 2007 12:16:39 PM
To weigh in on the crochet/knit debate, I believe pair number two is knit but with a crocheted lacy border. The body sure looks like 1x1 ribbing. The first pair is granny square crochet. Ugh.
Posted by: Boo | Jun 27, 2007 1:29:43 PM
The horror...it's true! Spats ARE trying to make a comeback. Look at the link I received in my DailyCandy email
www.possothespat.com
Posted by: Karissa | Jun 27, 2007 6:19:20 PM
Knit, Crochet, it's all the same to me. I failed home ec. and my Mom was the teacher.
Posted by: SageHen | Jun 27, 2007 11:14:41 PM
Karissa, that is one scary site and those spats sure are ugly!!
Posted by: ellie | Jun 28, 2007 9:23:53 AM
Yep, these are sure ugly, but like Amelia, I work in such a frigid space (why do guys in suits get to control the thermostat?), I'd almost be tempted. I have threatened to wear mukluks to work. Now, there would be more material for Threadbared. Mukluks are about as ugly as they sound, although they did have brief popularity in the 60's.
Posted by: | Jun 28, 2007 12:21:29 PM
Yes, I believe spats are coming back in the inner cities.
In fact, I believe the upper photo is the Crips gang spat, the lower the Bloods!
Posted by: Ashphalt | Jun 28, 2007 1:00:50 PM
Well, they're no worse than the legwarmers we've been tortured with these last couple of years.
Posted by: Sabra | Jun 28, 2007 10:55:13 PM
>
Why are all of the models standing on a toilet seat? To protect from splashing?
Posted by: catlady | Jul 2, 2007 11:03:09 PM
Mukluks. Mukluks were popular in the 00's - Ugg Boots? Hello.
Posted by: Regina | Jul 2, 2007 11:10:59 PM
Actually, mukluks (as opposed to Ugg Boots) are still out there. Do a Google search. You'll be surprised.
Posted by: | Jul 3, 2007 7:05:26 AM
Whaddaya mean 'as opposed to Ugg boots'? Uggs were so HOT last xmas, you couldn't even get them in most sizes by Dec. 15!! Even the yucky colors were going for $200 on Ebay by Xmas eve :-0
Posted by: barb | Jul 3, 2007 8:43:11 AM
Uggs being "so hot" just proves there will be plenty of inexplicable stuff still out there for a future Threadbared disciple's snarkiness (though it will be called something else, I'm sure).
Posted by: val | Jul 3, 2007 10:41:15 AM
i think those are cool actually.
Posted by: tara bethune-leamen | Jul 4, 2007 9:34:24 PM
Just discovered your site and haven't laughed so hard in a long time. Love it!
Posted by: Kelly | Jul 4, 2007 10:03:39 PM
of course some folks think Uggs are "cool." Otherwise they would be gone by now. Every single thing that has shown up on this site was thought "cool" at one time or another. Orange and green ponchos, body suits with snaps in the crotch, pet clothes that match their humans'get-ups, granny dresses (I actually loved those). In a few years, folks will look at Uggs and say, "What were we thinking?" And by then, there will be a new "cool" (except that word is getting a little not-cool).
Posted by: val | Jul 5, 2007 1:46:16 PM
How does the toe part stay on? Does it just flap around?
Since I've seen a teacher at my school wear knee-hi socks with pumps, anything is possible.
Posted by: allison | Jul 8, 2007 1:38:01 PM
Allison, it could be worse. I had a female math teacher in high school who wore rainbow-striped knee-highs WITH INDIVIDUAL KNITTED TOES. And how do I know they had toes? Because she wore them with platform sandals, of course.
It was pretty hard to focus on the geometry lessons on the overhead projector, blinded as we were by her feet.
Posted by: Jessamyn | Jul 10, 2007 9:51:52 AM
I find this completely fascinating. Do you think it's because they gave me clothespins for dolls to play with instead of the real thing when I was little? Am I the only guy who's ever posted here?
I think this is the most interesting site I've come across in ages. I'm telling everybody.
Posted by: EveryGoodBoy | Jul 11, 2007 11:00:34 AM
I can just imagine Sienna Miller wearing these. You may be on to something here, as scary as that may seem.
Posted by: Elsbet | Jul 11, 2007 3:43:15 PM
Will it be Fall '07 before we get a new post????
Posted by: KateMet | Jul 11, 2007 5:11:55 PM
I've been gone a week, and this one was old when I left.
Posted by: | Jul 11, 2007 5:33:57 PM
Granny squares and footwear... By golly, I can't believe no one's ever made the leap to this innovation before!
D-oh!
Posted by: Thrift Shop Romantic | Jul 12, 2007 10:53:27 AM
Remember when this site used to be fun? Sigh.
Posted by: Barb | Jul 14, 2007 1:18:16 AM
LOL You're right, it does feel like 150 degrees here. Love the spats!
Posted by: Felicia | Jul 14, 2007 5:43:09 AM
"I've been gone a week, and this one was old when I left."
I've been in Germany for the last two, and it was old when *I* left. Maybe they're on summer holiday...
Posted by: Yorkie | Jul 14, 2007 10:36:06 AM
Just discovered this site, love it. Love spats, but sewn only.Remember a lot of the pictures on your site from when they were new, feel old, but love your hilarious take on them. Will be passing you on to others, keep up the good work/fun.
Posted by: stinka50 | Jul 14, 2007 11:26:12 AM
Seriously, though, last winter I was slogging my way back to my car in a skirt and high heels and I was contemplating how I could make myself a pair of spats. The ones on the bottom don't look that awful; I'd probably make them long enough to go over my knees.
Posted by: Grungie | Jul 16, 2007 1:58:11 PM
Ok I love the spats! What a fun little fashion accessory!
LOL!
Posted by: Annette | Jul 23, 2007 10:58:27 PM
So i read this and realy start laughing. First...Many people dont no what spat is...go to wikipedia for information. Sorry for my english...i am german and still learning.Second...i am a unique spats designer...and if you want see other spats...than visit my shop..just for looking :-))) So than you can say good or bad.
http://en.dawanda.com/shop/maide
Send you all sunny greetings from my unique spats place.
Maide
Posted by: Maide | Aug 12, 2007 8:42:32 AM
I think the idea of Spats are just fuuuuuny! The spats from the posso site are over the toilet because the photographer is trying to tak the model out of flushing them away.
Also, I have a pair of Mukluks that I USED to LOVE... until my FIL'S dog decided to pee on them and I never got the stain/smell out... :-( I miss wearing them...
The second site... actually... they look really good. While I would not wear them, I wouldn't make fun of anyone who did. :-D
Posted by: SKHI | Sep 1, 2007 12:26:06 PM
I don't suppose you'd be willing to post the whole pattern instructions?
Posted by: hydrolagus | Sep 6, 2007 10:09:13 PM
I would love that pattern! Spats are cool - they're like legwarmers --- they make a high heel a boot! I support knitted spats. Its the leather ones that are just a little too Guys and Dolls/My Fair Lady.
Posted by: lori | Oct 10, 2007 5:56:00 PM
I would love that pattern! Spats are cool - they're like legwarmers --- they make a high heel a boot! I support knitted spats. Its the leather ones that are just a little too Guys and Dolls/My Fair Lady.
Posted by: lori | Oct 10, 2007 6:04:35 PM
I would wear spats in a heartbeat!
I would wear them spun of gold,
I would wear them new or old,
I would wear them knitted or crocheted,
storebought or lovingly handmade.
Posted by: Nina | Nov 22, 2007 4:01:36 AM
Dear husband likes sexy. I like warm, as it is now mid-winter. Best I can do is ankle boots with socks. I could make bustier/spats for my sexy shoes and be warm.
Posted by: kathleen | Jan 21, 2008 2:06:57 PM
Hi All Knitters,
Win a knitting Book not yet released go to:
http://felting.craftgossip.com/2008/02/01/i-heart-felt-pre-release-book-review-win-this-book/
Regard,
Linda
Posted by: Linda L Lanese | Feb 1, 2008 8:38:57 PM
Ciao everyone. Glad I found this page-good work. I love spats and think they offer many good possibilities. I agree with Maide and love his/her work. As far as vintage patterns, I was fortunate to find an eight-volume fiber art encyclopedia (knitting-crochet-sewing etc) writen in Italian in the 1970's. It's a treasure chest of inspiration- just keep an open mind-- remember fashion rides the cycle of cool, to out-of-style, before it returns as RETRO
Posted by: stefarino | Apr 5, 2008 4:59:19 AM
